HelloFresh, the Germany-based meal delivery service, is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor for allegedly employing migrant children at its Aurora, Illinois, facility. The probe also involves Midway Staffing, the agency that hired the children, according to reports from ABC News.
The investigation highlights growing concerns about child labor trafficking in the United States. Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands of migrant children, categorized as Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs), have been resettled across the country with insufficient oversight from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Many of these children face risks of exploitation, forced labor, or trafficking, as revealed by a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) report.
From fiscal years 2021 through 2023, more than 365,000 UACs were released into the U.S. interior under the Biden administration, according to the DHS IG. A significant portion of these children were placed with adult sponsors who are often not their biological parents. The lack of follow-up and accountability by federal agencies has left many vulnerable to abuse.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, facing scrutiny, recently defended the agency’s handling of the issue during a congressional hearing, stating, “Every day is a challenge, and we do the best we can.” Despite the increase in child labor trafficking, Becerra expressed no regrets regarding his tenure at HHS.
The allegations against HelloFresh come at a time when public awareness of exploitative labor practices is rising. If the investigation confirms violations, the company could face significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences.
This case underscores the broader issue of how the U.S. government and private entities are addressing the challenges posed by an influx of unaccompanied minors and their vulnerability to exploitation.
